"Heeellllllooooo!?"

Viktor turned his head to the source of the noise, frowning. But there were no humans in the area. The voice sounded distorted, somehow, crackling and faint. And slightly panicked. He looked left and right, but he still couldn't find anyone. Only aliens and booths.

"Did you hear that?" Viktor asked Vok'Rul, tugging on the alien's clothing to get his attention. He twisted in his arms to look over his shoulder, but the sound didn't happen again.

"Hear what?" Vok'Rul asked in concern, peering at Viktor. "You are not ill and hearing things, are you?"

Viktor rolled his eyes with a huff, chewing on his lower lip. "No," he said after a few seconds. "I guess it was nothing." Still, he couldn't shake the feeling of uncanny dread pooling in his stomach. What had that been about?

"Oh, my lord, look at that! A portrait stall," Thruul said from Vok'Rul's shoulder. Viktor reluctantly settled back into Vok'Rul's arms, trying to put that voice out of his head. He turned his attention to where Thruul was pointing. "Didn't you say you wanted to get a portrait done of your mammal before you got Kohgrash?"

Vok'Rul rumbled, "I did say that, yes. I am surprised you remembered. Nonetheless, that was before I got Kohgrash."

"Well, what's wrong with portraits? Aren't those just big fancy paintings of people?" Viktor asked curiously, latching onto the subject with both hands. He didn't want to think about that call.

"The Vokkrus who specialize in such portraits, as the one you see there," Vok'Rul gestured to the stall. It wasn't as extravagant as the one Korrashkka had set up, but it was certainly a step up from the regular stalls mostly seen in the festival today. It was much larger, taking up enough space for three normal stalls. It was colorful and bright, catching everyone's attention. "They get rather physical with their subjects."

"Physical?" Viktor repeated warily.

"Nothing bad," Vok'Rul reassured him quickly, arms tightening. "They like to arrange their subjects in certain poses. Of course, since animals cannot understand our language, it can be tricky to get them to stay, especially if the positions are uncomfortable." Vok'Rul paused for a second. What he said seemed to catch up with him, because he hastily corrected himself. "Well, you aren't just an animal, my little Kohgrash, and you'd have an easier time than most."

Viktor squinted up at Vok'Rul. He stared longingly at the stall. Viktor never pictured him much for art, considering his walls were mostly barren at home. Though, he did have a cute picture on his bedside table with Rukka, Kac, and Nohkka. And he knew that the alien was pretty sentimental.

He looked back at the stall. The line of aliens for the booth wasn't long; there were only about six or so and they seemed to be sectioned off in groups. The artist, whom Viktor could only see the top of their head right now, was deep, reddish pink in color. He wondered if they were a famous artist.

"Do you know them?" he asked the alien when he made a noise of happy surprise. Vok'Rul let out a little, amused huff.

"Know them? Of course, I do. She comes to many of my banquets throughout the years. Rukka and Kac commissioned her to get a portrait done when Nohkka was freshly hatched." Vok'Rul let out a wistful sigh as he reminisced, "She was quite the tiny one back then. I will have to show it to you one day."

Viktor wondered what the portrait looked like, or even what Rukka and Kac's house looked like. He was more than a little curious about their home and a lot more nervous about stepping into Nohkka's territory. Who knew what diabolical stuff she had in there? Clothing and toys to force on an unwilling Viktor.

Still, what did their house even look like? Was it expansive and grand like Vok'Rul's mansion or humble like Nikolas's alien, Sonja's? He couldn't imagine them living in some suburbs, though, going to neighborhood barbeques and little league baseball games.

Viktor turned his attention back to the stall. The thought of another alien, especially one he didn't know, touching him left goosebumps on his skin. But, he supposed it was the least he could do for Vok'Rul. The guy did just buy him like, a million snow globes after all.

"Do you... wanna get a painting done?" Viktor asked reluctantly. Vok'Rul turned hopeful eyes on him, and he knew that he would have to give in, then.

"Would you?" he asked hopefully. "Of course, if you are uncomfortable, we can always leave."

Viktor waved his worries away, patting the alien on the arm. "Yes, I'm sure. Let's go, worrywart."

Nohkka had decided, as soon as she saw them in line for the artist, that she would rather die than stand in line for something as "boring" as that. Her parents weren't too fussed about it, considering they already had a portrait of her, so they said goodbye to the trio. Rukka told Vok'Rul that they'd go wander the stalls but that they would meet each other at the show instead of Korat'ska's.

"Show?" Viktor asked as he waved goodbye. Only Nohkka waved back.

"Spirits, I nearly forgot about that," Vok'Rul murmured under his breath. Thruul was standing close enough that he heard and started chuckling. Vok'Rul shot him a look. "The show she speaks of is something hosted by the school we visited." Man, that was such a long time ago. "It's a -" Crackling again. "Theatre show. The hatchlings participate in it and tell the story of the Vokkra."

"Your life story?" Viktor asked, a little excited. He knew Vok'Rul, sure, but he didn't know everything about him. The dude was over 400 years old! He's probably done so much stuff that Viktor couldn't even imagine.

But Vok'Rul shook his head, giving him a little smile. "Not exactly. It's the history of our species. It focuses on the first Vokkra and gradually ends with the current one. Of course," he gave a little sigh, "the school will likely be trying to get in my good graces after that wild animal attack, even though they had nothing to do with it."

Viktor thought about the way the principal had acted suspiciously, delaying Vok'Rul's bodyguards and checking his phone often throughout the day, and seriously doubted that they had anything to do with it. Still, bringing up his concerns to Vok'Rul now would just be a waste of time. He'd tell him later.

He still made a disbelieving noise, just to let him know that he wasn't happy with it.

The line moved forward as the artist finished her latest piece. Now that they were closer, Viktor could see that she was missing some of the horns on the right side of her face. She moved back behind the canvas she was at, stretching over some odd-looking easel, so his inspection of her was cut short.

Thruul went to fetch Viktor some water at Vok'Rul's request. And while he was pretty good at waiting for long periods of time - he had sat in a hospital room for ten days with nearly nothing to do, once - Viktor was getting a little impatient, now.

He passed the time by talking with Vok'Rul. But the alien was questioning him about Earth.

"So your customs dictate that your species are fully-grown at only eighteen years of age?"

Viktor nodded, before adding, "Well, in most countries."

Vok'Rul couldn't seem to wrap his head around it. "But, that is so young! You are almost fully grown, then? But you are so small!" Vok'Rul emphasized this by lifting Viktor into the air. Startled at the sudden movement, the teenager quickly held onto the alien's wrists for support.

"Jesus, you can't just lift people into the air whenever you want, man!" Viktor protested, dangling limply in his grip. "And I'm still growing." He knew that it was unlikely he'd grow any taller - malnutrition had stunted him during his time in the arena to a great extent - but he couldn't help hoping.

Vok'Rul dropped him back onto the ground with a smirk.

"Are you bullying Kohgrash, my lord?" Thruul asked, returning with a sealed cup of water in one hand and a starfruit in the other. He crouched, and Viktor gleefully took them both.

"Thank you, Thruul," he told him. Thruul patted his head in return.

"Thruul, did you know that humans are considered adult age at eighteen years old?" Vok'Rul's bewildered voice interrupted their moment. Thruul looked just as flabbergasted at the idea as Vok'Rul did.

All in all, waiting in line wasn't too terrible. Sure, it took forever to get to the front of the line, and there were times that random aliens would come up to Vok'Rul to ask his opinions on the stupidest things (who cares if you wanted to know if Vok'Rul preferred this orange or pink bowl?), but spending time with Vok'Rul and Thruul was pretty nice.

"Thank you," the artist said to the family - a pair of aliens who looked like they were absolutely smitten with each other - as they departed the stall with their new painting. "Alright, who's next?"

Vok'Rul seemed to barely be able to contain his excitement. At least, it was pretty visible to Viktor, who knew what happiness looked like on Vok'Rul's face.

"Greetings, Kralovna," Vok'Rul said.

Kralovna stood from her chair, something rather soft looking, and bowed at the waist. Viktor, who was resolutely standing behind Vok'Rul's legs (for the shade offered by the alien, of course, not because he was scared) finally got a good look at her.

She was pink, a deeper darker shade than Pink the alien. Like he had noticed earlier, there were horns missing from the right side of her face, though the ones on her cheek were intact. Faintly, he could see a long scratch from the top of her skull to the top of her eye. His hand brushed against the harsh scar tissue on his own face.

The sleeves on her clothing - some half tunic, half sweater combination - were rolled all the up to her shoulders. It was splattered with paint. Much like her stall, she was covered from the chest down with all sorts of colors. Black, orange, red, yellow, green. She looked like a miniature rainbow.

She straightened. "Greetings, O Vokkra. It is nice to see you. Have you changed your mind about an official portrait?"

"Ah," Vok'Rul faltered. Viktor, despite his best efforts, grew a little tense at his hesitance. Even if these aliens couldn't understand English, he'd be damned if he let them insult Vok'Rul. He'd curse them out in a million languages if he could, but English would work just fine. "No, Kralovna, I've not changed my mind. I do not need some silly portrait like my predecessors."

Kralovna nodded, tilting her head in a way that showed she didn't believe him. "Well," she said at least, finishing the organization of her paints, brushes, and whatnot, "It is not my place to tell you how to rule, O Vokkra. What brings you here, then?" Her eyes slid behind Vok'Rul, landing on Thruul. "Perhaps a mate painting? They are quite popular this time of year. The festival is always a pleasant date location."

Viktor couldn't see Vok'Rul or Thruul's faces, which was a shame, but he couldn't help the little giggle that escaped him regardless. He wondered when the two would fess up to each other.

Unfortunately, his laughter attracted her attention. Like a predator, her eyes immediately landed on him. He stiffened.

"Hello," she said gently like he was an actual animal. Kralovna crouched, steadying herself on a bucket of paint. Her hands were paler than the rest of her skin. Maybe the paint made it that way? She kept them visible, right in front of her. "What's your name?"

"None of your business," Viktor snapped back.

"I never thought I'd see Kohgrash in the flesh," Kralovna said, proving that she already knew his name and was just patronizing him. She lifted her hand in a wave. Viktor bared his teeth in a sneer at the movement. "Are you looking for a portrait for him? I have gotten quite good at capturing mammals in my work. I've practiced on my own, Kelp. She's here with me now. Would he like to meet her?"

"I think that would set him at ease, yes. Where is she?" Vok'Rul asked the artist, peering around the space. Viktor didn't need anyone to set him at ease, thank you. Vok'Rul ignored his annoyed huff.

Kralovna got up slowly, predictably, and went toward one side of her stall, which was cluttered with paint cans. She knocked on the metal, picking a few up to peer inside. "She likes to make these little hideaways with all my supplies. Kelp, Kelp! Wake up, you lazy Trrasknn!" she called, voice quiet. "She was never harmed by our species, but she's quite skittish. She's not met too many mammals, though!"

The first thing Viktor noticed about Kelp was that her hair was a bright green. It was a little surprising, considering that most people he's met that had dyed hair were growing theirs out, simply due to the lack of dyes available. Though, he realized with quick clarity, that Kelp did have access to a bunch of paint. Maybe she just liked dipping her hair in it. It couldn't be healthy for the hair, though.

"What, what?" she grumbled at Kralovna. As she emerged from her paint can fort, her eyes widened when she saw Viktor. "Hey, it's you! You were on that TV a few times. Nice to meet'cha. I'm Kassie."

She didn't seem as skittish as Kralovna claimed, but maybe she was just wary around the animals. God knows Viktor was, too.

Kassie looked between her alien and Viktor, realization dawning on her face. "Ohh, are you like, scared of her or something?" she asked.

Viktor crossed his arms. "I am not scared of her."

She cracked a grin, malicious. "Sure, kid. Whatever you say." She looked back up at her alien, before glancing back at Viktor. "Well, if that's it. I'm leaving."

Viktor blinked as she scrambled back into the fort, disappearing quickly. "Well, that was something."

"Ah, yes, see? Quite skittish. Now, would you like a portrait for him?" Kralovna asked, pulling some buckets toward her easel.

"That would be lovely," Vok'Rul agreed, stepping forward. Viktor almost fell over. He had been clutching the alien's leg pretty tightly. "Oops, sorry Kohgrash."

"Yeah, yeah. What do you need me to do?"

Kralovna asked Vok'Rul a bunch of questions, like 'how large would you like the canvas,' 'what kind of medium would you like,' 'do you prefer it horizontal or vertical,' 'are there any props you would prefer,' 'are you looking for a headshot or full body,' and so on. Vok'Rul seemed just as lost as Viktor was. At least Thruul wasn't teasing them, though it certainly looked like he was choking back laughter.

Vok'Rul scooped him up and set him down on a block of wood, covered with fabric. It was hard, and he knew it'd start getting uncomfortable the longer he sat up here. The fabric was white and scratchy like most of the blankets here. Behind him was the back of the stall, also covered with a white blanket. Kralovna finished pulling her paints together before heading to a stack of opened boxes.

"I have many props for animals, mammals especially," she said as she started rifling through the boxes. She pulled out a bright blue piece of fabric. She unfurled it with a loud snap that had Viktor twitching, brandishing it for Vok'Rul to see. The fabric was square and had white embellishments along the edges. "Extra clothing is a popular choice. Collars, scarves, necklaces."

Vok'Rul hummed, brushing his claws against Viktor's hair and trying to straighten it. His touch was light, and his sleeves kept brushing against his nose. Viktor leaned back as best he could, but Vok'Rul's hands just followed him. "Hmm, I quite like that handkerchief, but -"

Viktor interrupted him with a sneeze, loud and slightly painful. "Ah, Jesus. Get your damn sleeves away from my nose, man," he complained, wiping his face.

"What was that!" Vok'Rul exclaimed excitedly. Viktor heard his tail sweeping across the floor in a wag. He squished Viktor's face in his hands and angled his head upward to look at him appraisingly. "You've never made that noise before!"

Viktor looked at him, aghast. "I'm pretty sure I've sneezed before. There's no way I haven't."

Kralovna spoke up, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. My mammal makes that noise sometimes. Though, I am not sure what causes it."

"It's very cute," Vok'Rul cooed, letting go of Viktor's face after squeezing it slightly. Viktor rolled his eyes, smiling at him.

"So, would you like the handkerchief on Kohgrash, or would you prefer something else?"

Vok'Rul clicked his tongue ruefully, going back to styling Viktor's hair. He was pretty sure the alien was just using this as an excuse to pet his hair without getting complaints from him. "Kohgrash does not like things constricting his neck."

"It's very loose," Kralovna assured him. Vok'Rul looked torn. He looked down at Viktor helplessly. "Not constricting at all."

The teenager bit his tongue to stifle the sigh that wanted to escape him. "We can try the handkerchief," he relented reluctantly, feeling his skin break out into a sweat at the mere thought. It was just fabric, he told himself. Exactly like his shirt. Except his shirts had been loosened from all his tugging.

He knew it was the right choice when Vok'Rul's entire face lit up and he eagerly took the offered handkerchief from Kralovna's claws.

Viktor tilted his head back, trying to keep his breathing steady as Vok'Rul's claws brushed against his throat to tie the piece of fabric around it. He squeezed his eyes shut and held himself stiffly.

"All done," Vok'Rul whispered to him. His claws threaded through his hair again. Viktor's eyes snapped open. His hands - they trembled and he wished they'd stop - explored the handkerchief's position. It rested right where a collar would, right over the thick, ropey scar tissue encircling his neck, but it was light enough that Viktor didn't find it panic-inducing. He forcefully dropped his shoulders. "Are you alright, my little Kohgrash?"

"Yes," he croaked, before clearing his throat. He tugged on the piece of fabric before dropping his hands onto his lap. He tried again. "Yes, yeah, I'm okay. It's good."

"Great!" Vok'Rul beamed through worried eyes. Kralovna asked him a few additional questions, but after confirming that he desired nothing else for the portrait, she got started.

Her touches were brief and gentle, but he still didn't like them. Vok'Rul hovered by her side, reassuring Viktor with soft words and smiles. Kralovna tugged at his shirt, brushed his hair in certain directions, and twisted the block of wood he was sitting on. He drew the line when her hands brushed against his throat to move the handkerchief. His hands had shot out to push her away, letting out a snarling cry of choked surprise.

She let Vok'Rul shift the handkerchief where she wanted it to be after that.

After what seemed like hours of making Viktor portrait ready, Kralovna finally went behind her easel. Viktor's posture relaxed, and he tried to hold still while she got to work. Vok'Rul, Thruul, and Kralovna made idle conversation while she was sketching. When she finally moved on to the paints, Viktor was starting to get stiff. And bored.

"Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall..." he singsonged, wishing he could turn his head to look at his surroundings. He could only stare at the same piece of wood before going clinically insane.

"What are you singing, Kohgrash?" Vok'Rul asked curiously. Viktor attracted the attention of all three of them with his poor attempt at singing.

"Don't mind me. I'm just trying not to die of boredom," Viktor sighed, reaching up to scratch the bridge of his nose. "It's this song you sing on car rides to pass the time."

"Interesting," Vok'Rul hummed. Viktor saw Kralovna shift behind her easel - Viktor couldn't really see any of the alien except for her lower half - and he wondered what she thought of Vok'Rul speaking to him like they were having a conversation. Well. They were having a conversation. She didn't know that, though. "Kralovna is almost finished, though, so you won't have to wait much longer, little one."

"Fast," Viktor commented. Vok'Rul hummed his agreement.

After another hour - Viktor really started to cramp up, then, even though he was just sitting - Kralovna finally set down her paintbrushes. "I am finished, Your Majesty."

Viktor took that as his cue to move. The first thing he did was tear off the handkerchief. The second he did was slide off the block onto a heap on the floor. He groaned as he stretched, hearing something pop in his back. He heard Vok'Rul's happy exclamations and reluctantly got to his feet, stepping over to the trio of aliens.

"Lift me," Viktor demanded, lifting his arms up to pat Vok'Rul's side. The alien picked him up swiftly, twisting and shifting to get a better view of the portrait.

"Look at this, Kohgrash, what a magnificent piece of art! The colors, the shapes! Are you looking? Look!"

"Well, if you held still, I'd be able to," Viktor grumbled. Vok'Rul stilled with an incomprehensible rumble.

The canvas was huge. Sure, it was proportional to the aliens, but since they were like, ten feet tall, the portrait probably dwarfed Viktor if he stood right next to it. He stared at the subject of the painting - at him - in complete awe. It was a bust, the top of his shoulders to the top of his head were the focus of the painting. He hasn't had a decent mirror since he's gotten here, bar the one attempt to look in Vok'Rul's bathroom mirror, so he's rarely gotten a chance to look at himself. Reflection and watery surfaces could only get him so far. It was just weird to see him plastered on a canvas like this.

Kralovna did not shy away from his imperfections. The shadows under his eyes were there and prominent. The scar down the side of his face was broad and large. It ripped across his cheek. The scars on his neck were mostly covered by the blue handkerchief, but what he saw looked like burned tissue, winding around his throat to choke him. He rubbed at his neck self-consciously.

His hair was short and slightly uneven, and Kralovna had included the already fading red streaks in his hair. His expression was neutral if a bit bored. Viktor was reminded of Victorian paintings, stoic and bland.

Viktor squinted. The paint was actually dry on the canvas. He was no artist - hell, he's probably only touched paint once for a project in school - but he knew that paint took a while to dry.

"She finished so quickly," Viktor said. It was Vok'Rul's cue to start speaking excitedly. The alien started complimenting Kralovna's work as she packaged it up carefully. Viktor wondered if the hair dye he had gotten and the paint she used were similar. There had been no smoke when she had used it, though.

Oh well, he figured, watching as Vok'Rul reverently took the package - a large, rectangular box that was padded to the gills with blankets - and handed it to Thruul. It wasn't like he really wanted to know. Art class had never been his favorite.

Vok'Rul paid - a rather large and unnecessary sum if the expression on Kralovna's face was anything to go by - and they were off. The line for Kralovna's stall had grown much larger than it had been twenty minutes ago. Viktor suspected that Vok'Rul's loud and happy exclamations had something to do with that.

"Spirits," Vok'Rul muttered unhappily, a complete turnaround from his jubilant mood.

"What?" Viktor asked. He felt a little jumpy. The whole handkerchief thing had thrown him off. Something just didn't feel right. "What is it?"

"We might be late for the show. It's across the fairgrounds," Vok'Rul clarified. Thruul harrumphed disbelievingly.

"Just walk faster and look determined, my lord. They will get out of your way."

"I knew I kept you around for a reason, Thruul!" Vok'Rul said happily, reaching over to pat the other's shoulder. Thruul looked like Christmas came early. Viktor wondered if his eyes would fall out of his head with all the rolling they were doing.

They - well, Vok'Rul and Thruul - walked as quickly as they could to the theatre. They got stuck behind a few crowds a couple of times, but a loud shout from Viktor had them turning their heads and stepping out of the way haphazardly when they saw Vok'Rul. By the time they got to the show, which was located where the human section had been fenced off on the game day, there were only about twenty minutes till showtime.

"I'm surprised you made it in time, brother," Rukka muttered, peering at Vok'Rul as he and Thruul sat on the bench beside her. They were right up in front in what seemed like a dedicated section to certain aliens. There were signs with sprawling, swirly text placed on the benches. Viktor twisted around in Vok'Rul's arms to get a better look. Rows and rows of benches were sprawled across the grass. Almost all of them were filled with aliens. It was a full house (well, field).

The stage was huge, probably twice the size of a normal human-sized stage. The back was covered with a nature-themed backdrop, a simple yellow sky, and long, brown grass. Viktor could see more rolls of fabric scrunched up at the top. Dark curtains blanketed the sides, hiding whatever needed to remain unseen by the audience. A small set of steps led up to the stage on the right.

"I got a portrait from Kralovna," Vok'Rul responded gleefully. Viktor watched over his shoulder as the pair of aliens behind them shuffled a bit to the right. He frowned.

"Why are we in front? You're way too tall," Viktor told the alien, dropping back down to sit on the alien's legs. Vok'Rul wrapped his arm around his back.

"I thought you were insistent to break that Vokkra tradition?" Rukka's voice was slightly hopeful.

Vok'Rul scoffed loudly. "Dear sister, have I ever gone back on my word? No, I got one of Kohgrash, would you like to see it?" He was already gesturing to Thruul to pull it out. "Kralovna painted him perfectly! He even let me tie a handkerchief around his neck."

Yeah, his discomfort had been worth it. Vok'Rul was gushing about the portrait like a kid who had just gotten their favorite toy. Viktor slouched against his chest tiredly. He felt like his head was going to explode with the mounting headache he had behind his eyes.

He dozed for a while. It was peaceful. The low chattering of Rukka, Thruul, and Vok'Rul filled his ears. He thought he could stay like this forever. Until something catapulted against his stomach.

Large hands restrained his arms as he tried to throw up his fists in a panicked frenzy. Dazed, he slowly realized that it was just Nohkka that had jumped onto Viktor and Vok'Rul. "Jesus," he said, heart thumping in his throat. He relaxed, and Vok'Rul released his arms. Vok'Rul's lap got crowded with Nohkka also on it.

He slid onto the ground instead, leaning heavily against the alien's legs. He heard Kac, who must have taken Nohkka somewhere before they had arrived, begin to scold her. His attention wavered from the conversation happening above him when a maroon alien stepped out from the side curtains to the center stage. Almost all of the conversation in the audience dimmed. Viktor elbowed Vok'Rul's leg harshly to get his attention.

"Hush up," he told his family in a whisper. "It's starting."

"Welcome to the 35th annual show, hosted by our very own Vokkrashka Academy," the alien announced. It paused for polite applause before continuing, "We hope that you enjoy the show this year! Thank you!"

More applause followed the alien off the stage. Nohkka had clambered off Vok'Rul to sit in Rukka's lap, and Viktor swiftly reclaimed his place on the alien. He couldn't see much from the ground, even if they were in front. Vok'Rul's arms tightened around him in a shadow of a hug as the show started.

Vok'Rul had said that it was the history of the Vokkra. The show was an educational historical recap of their planet's history. It started with what he assumed was the creation of the planet.

"A1-308 formed in a ball of fire sent by the Spirits," intoned a young alien kid. They were wearing a comically large white gown. They held a small brown sphere over their head. They started spinning. "It spun and spun until the star caught it!" Another kid entered the stage, almost wearing a white gown. They were holding a slightly larger white sphere in their hands. They ran across the stage and the two circled each other twice before stopping.

They explained how the moon was formed - a pretty lumpy ball was tossed into orbit around the kid with the planet - before going into how life was formed on the planet. Interestingly, this planet didn't seem to have many mass extinctions. At least, it wasn't told in the show. They had one, which they called the Great Cull, wherein the Vokkrus emerged afterward, created by the Spirits.

Viktor had always thought they were just some religious entity that the aliens believed in, but the way the play described them - strong gods with connections to the 'other side' - had him doubting that. Plus, there was the concept of their Mirror. He still wasn't sure if that was really real or not. Seeing is believing and all that.

After the introduction of the Vokkrus to their planet, civilization popped up. Viktor had never been a fan of human history, so he couldn't remember how quickly their own civilization started, but he did know that humans have only been around for like, 300 thousand years or something. These aliens have been around for millions of years.

It was always daunting to remember how short his own lifespan was compared to these guys.

Regardless, their history was interesting. Despite having a predatory, and rather brutal, nature, most of their civilization lasted long enough to become as advanced as they were today. Inventions and discoveries were shown, grand and important. Kids dressed as notable leaders in their history were paraded around the stage. Only as recently as - Viktor inwardly scoffed - two thousand years ago did they enter space. They entered the - and Viktor's head really was going to pop with the way the translator whirred as they said this - Local Group Galactic Alliance soon after. It was Vok'Rul who had spearheaded the search for dying planets only twenty years ago.

The play was starting to wind down, then, with the last half focusing on Vok'Rul himself. He had been right when he had suspected they would play him up in an effort to convince him to forgive their school. Viktor heard him mumble something unsavory under his breath as they commented on various aspects of his life.

The show painted him in a good light, Viktor thought. As soon as the kid dressed as Vok'Rul entered the stage, the audience cheered. The backdrop changed from a pleasant, grassy field to a sandy arena. Viktor made a noise of disgust.

"I am the new Vokkra!" the kid declared, standing over a fallen Vokkrus. The last leader, Viktor assumed. "I have defeated Bffgraah!" More cheering followed this.

The backdrop changed again. The capitol building loomed over the stage. "I will root out corruption," play-Vok'Rul said, standing proudly. "And I will fix the economy!"

"By the Spirits," the real Vok'Rul whispered from above him. Viktor glanced up for a second before looking back at the show. "I did not fix the economy. I had help."

"Be quiet, you humble bastard," Rukka whispered heatedly, nudging her brother. "You do this every year." He made a grumpy noise.

"Hello, thank you, please, how are you?" play-Vok'Rul said to the line of aliens filtering onto the stage. They bowed to him, one by one, as he passed. Play-Vok'Rul turned to the audience, throwing out his arms. "I will show my people that we do not need to be as vicious as Bffgraah led us to believe!"

Vok'Rul made a noise of humiliated embarrassment. Viktor giggled.

"And," the kid continued. "I will save another planet to show you!"

Earth hadn't been the first planet Vok'Rul had saved. Of course, none of the planets he had helped had sentient life, as either, they had never been around in the first place, had fled the first chance they had gotten, or had died as a result of their planet's unlivable conditions. There were a fair few planets that were unsalvagable, but Vok'Rul managed to save a few plants. They only recently moved on to animals. The Ghhorrah were from a nearby planet, which definitely explained the aliens' lack of knowledge about it. Humans were the second animal they 'saved.'

Viktor sucked in a strangled breath of air as a crude drawing of Earth unraveled on the backdrop. Even though it wasn't the best replica of his planet, he absorbed it like a sponge in water, drinking in every detail he could see. Blue and green, green and blue.

"Earth!" another human from the crowd cried out. Similar cries and cheering erupted from all around the audience. Viktor was keen to join them.

The kids on stage waited for the cheering to die down before continuing. "And so, mammals have been here for a year," the narrator concluded after explaining how they 'rescued' the humans from their planet. It wasn't nice to hear about if he were honest. They weren't treating their planet the best, sure, but it was their home. Hearing it described as a shithole burned him.

"We are trying, you know," Viktor whispered to Vok'Rul when the kids on stage claimed Earth was growing hotter and hotter with no end in sight. "We just don't... try hard enough."

Vok'Rul patted him on the head. Viktor turned his frown back to the crappy Earth on stage.

He missed his planet. It was hard to even remember what blue skies looked like, now. The yellow sky was sickly and pale, but it was familiar. He missed the white, fluffy clouds that floated along the breeze. He missed the rain.

Viktor ended up missing the last ten minutes of the play with his reminiscing. He came back to the present as the crowd clapped and cheered for the show. The adult alien that had started the show came back on stage, gestured to the young actors, and said, "Thank you all for coming! We hope that you enjoyed the 35th annual show of our history! A big thank you to our very own Vokkra as well! Without him, our world would be a very different place!"

The alien pointed to Vok'Rul in the crowd, and the cheering swelled. Viktor ground his teeth together at the noise, breath catching in his throat. His heartbeat quickened, and he burned with the need to start moving away from the noise. Vok'Rul's claws tightened around him as the alien stood up. He was speaking, but Viktor couldn't hear him over the din of the crowd, even though he was right on top of him.

"Heeellloo!? Hellllooooo!!!"

The crowd's noise lulled for a moment, but as the cheering died, conversations picked up instead, almost lost in the noises of movement as aliens started to get up and walk around. Feet stomped on the ground. Claws scraped against the stone benches. Kids shrieked with delight upon seeing their parents. Loud aliens congratulating them on a job well done.

"Heelllloooo! Anyone?"

"Kohgrash, it's okay, now. We'll go somewhere quieter," Vok'Rul spoke in a loud enough tone to be heard over all the other noise. Viktor peeled open his eyes and realized that he was holding onto the alien painfully tight. He opened his hands with difficulty.

"Nohkka?" Kac called, looking around. "Time to go, little one. We've got to go to Korat'ska."

"I thought you had Nohkka," Rukka said. Her voice made a thrill of dread zip down Viktor's spine.

"I did, I did!" Kac spluttered, already moving. Vok'Rul hissed something that made his translator nearly shriek in his ear.

"Thruul," he said. He twisted his hand in an unfamiliar gesture, and suddenly plainclothes bodyguards appeared from the crowd. "Take Kohgrash to the lot and wait for us there."

"HeellllLLLLOO?! Anyone there? Help me!!"

Nohkka's shrill scream pierced the air like a gunshot. Viktor felt himself being bodily shoved against Thruul. Vok'Rul, along with Rukka, Kac, and his bodyguards, took off toward the source of the scream. Thruul held him tightly.

"Let me go, Thruul," Viktor said. He barely recognized his own voice.

Instead of turning around and walking to the parking lot like Vok'Rul instructed, Thruul hesitated for just a second, looking worriedly in the direction Vok'Rul had gone. Viktor twisted in the alien's grip, shoving the palm of his hand against his broad nose. His head flew back at the unexpected force. He let out a cry of pain, hands flying up to cradle his face. Viktor rolled onto the ground, barely giving himself time to get to his feet before he took off.

"Kohgrash! Come back here!" Thruul shouted. Viktor didn't listen to him.

He caught up with Vok'Rul quickly. Adrenaline had been brewing in his veins all day, and now it had somewhere to go. Unlike Vok'Rul, Viktor didn't have to fight against the crowd of aliens to get through; he could squeeze through much smaller places. He used it to his advantage.

One foot in front of the other. He needed to get to Nohkka.

"Hello!? Someone, please, help me!"

"SHUT UP!" he wished he could scream it, but it just came out in a choked huff of air. He didn't know what that calling was. He had no idea where it was coming from. But he knew it wasn't human. And he knew it had something to do with Nohkka. He was getting closer.

He exploded from the crowd with a snarl, falling into a mess of turned-over benches and broken fences. It became clear why the crowd of aliens was practically useless in helping Nohkka when Viktor saw that five aliens were crowding her. One held her arm, dangling her in the air like a sack of meat.

"That's him," one of the aliens said to the others. It was holding the guns he had heard about when they had stormed Earth and taken them. It was big and looked heavy. The alien held it with both hands. It quickly pointed it at him, and Viktor felt his heart leap into his throat even while his face twisted into a fierce snarl.

"Kohgrash!" Nohkka cried out, renewing her struggles. "Don't hurt Kohgrash!"

"Make him get closer so I can use this," another alien said quickly. "Vokkra is getting closer."

"Stay back!" another shouted, brandishing its weapon at the crowd. The crowd let out synchronous cries of horror and took a few steps back. None of them stepped forward. So much for kindness.

"RELEASE HER!" he heard Rukka scream.

"Kohgrash!" the one holding Nohkka called, drawing his attention. Viktor stalked forward, despite knowing he was playing into their wishes. If he could get Nohkka away from them, everything would be alright. He's never fought with the intention to protect something that couldn't fight. Vok'Rul knew how to fight and defend himself if it came down to it, but Nohkka probably didn't even know how to throw a punch. "Come here." The gesture it made with its claws made Viktor nearly blind with anger.

"Helloo!!?" the sound came from the first alien. He slapped the box it had come from, and the sound fizzled out and stopped. It had been a recording to lure him in. But why did they want him?

"Act like you're harming her," the one pushing the crowd back called. "He's protective. That'll get him close enough."

The alien holding Nohkka wasted no time and raised its fist over Nohkka. She screamed with fear, and Viktor was moving before he could even register it. His shoulders slammed into the alien's legs, making it stumble backward.

"Get him!" the alien cried with barely masked fear. Viktor grabbed onto its clothing and hauled himself upward, using its flailing legs as a step up. Before he could even think about it, Viktor slammed his head against the other's. The alien reared back and fell to the ground.

Dazed but victorious, Viktor watched as the alien let go of Nohkka. She landed with a shout but got to her feet quicker than he would have suspected. He didn't have time to watch if she got back into the crowd safely, because something slammed into his stomach.

The alien's fist connected with his gut, and he swore something shattered. His throat burned as he vomited, spraying the alien with stomach acid and day-old starfruit. The alien screamed in pain. Viktor watched in horror as its skin started dissolving right before his eyes.

He didn't have time to process it. Large, rough hands grabbed him around the middle, claws digging painfully into his flesh. He struggled and kicked, but he didn't have a good grip to get away.

"Kohgrash!" Vok'Rul roared as he finally made it to the scene.

"Hurry! Let's go! We got what we came for!" a frantic alien shouted.

"What about Zorrash?!" the one holding him asked, already moving to the broken fence.

"Leave him. He's dead, anyway! That -" the crackling of his translator only added to Viktor's pain. "- never said mammals could shoot poison!"

A scream behind them had the aliens turning around frantically. Vok'Rul had grabbed the alien threatening the crowd before it could retreat, face looking vicious. The alien holding him turned before he could see anything, but Viktor distinctly heard bones snapping and a wet tearing noise. The alien's screams rose in pitch before cutting off with a gurgle.

"Hit him in the head," the other alien demanded. Viktor barely had time to tense before sharp pain shot through his skull.

"Jesus," he slurred, nearly biting his tongue off. He struggled to hold his head upright, let alone make a break for it. Everything hurt. The aliens were moving at a quick pace. There was a thump and another shout.

"Hurry!" the alien holding him screamed as they approached a car. The doors were already open. He was thrown into the back. His head connected with the other side of the car and everything went black.